Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences — “S4” — began to take shape in 2002 as scholars in several different social science disciplines recognized the need to develop a stronger spatial analysis capacity at Brown University. S4 was formally established in 2003 to “make Brown a highly visible international center for research that investigates human behavior in its social and spatial context.”
S4 now counts more than 40 faculty affiliates from departments across the campus — in social sciences and beyond.
Two major projects
One of the major projects S4 has undertaken is US2010, a program of research on changes in American society in the recent past based on U.S. Census data. US2010 is led by John Logan, professor of sociology. The project is supported by the Russell Sage Foundation and Brown University. Research reports from US2010 are available online.
S4 is also leading the Katrina Project, which began in 2005 in response to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. The research team has assembled and has begun to analyze a wide range of information about Katrina — damage reports, interviews with neighborhood residents, studies of community organizations and planning efforts, and data on rebuilding. The Katrina Project now also includes a broader study of the impacts of hurricanes on the Gulf Coast since 1950: Communities most at risk from hurricane wind damage and storm surge, areas that have been hit once or repeatedly, and hurricanes’ effect on population and economic change. Research reports from the Katrina Project are available online.
Other projects
- The American Communities Project
- Urban Transformation in South Africa
- Urban Transition Historical GIS Project
- The Rio Project
- Georgia Nursing Homes Project
- The Brown University Working Group on China
Media contact: Courtney Coelho 401-863-7287